We have been going 2 weeks each year to the Riffelalp. It has always been a superlative hotel with a stable, excellent team. We found the gastronomy level this year even higher, a solid one or two star Michelin for the gourmet restaurant. The rustic alpine Walliserkeller has extraordinary high quality meat dishes, raclette, fondue...The Zermatt valley lamb filet mignon on hot stone is divine. Most important is perfect service and discreet attention to all guest needs. Location (ski in and out), spas, gastronomy, superb direct view of the Matterhorn, uniqu high Alpine location with old trees make for a most relaxing and enjoyable ski holiday in Zermatt

My husband surprised me with a trip to the Rifflealp for my 50th birthday and he could not have picked a better spot. Imagine going to visit your rich uncle at his private ski chalet in the alps, equipped with anything you could need and expert staff...that's what the Rifflealp feels like. The staff takes care of every detail including ski passes, ski equipment fitting (the only resort to have their own pro shop fully equipment with rentals). You can't beat the ski in, ski out convenience. We ventured down from the mountain to Zermatt for shopping and dinner during our stay, all reservations and train details were taken care of for us. If you don't want to venture away from the resort there is plently there to do. A world class european spa with many steam rooms, foot baths, whirlpools, showers and don't forget the outdoor pool. I have to add the pool was specifically designed with spa in mind. There are several "stations" throughout the pool to ease your aching after ski muscles. If you care to book a spa treatment, there is expert staff. I chose to have a massage which was delightful!
As for dining, we chose to visit the restaurants in the main building as we felt we could have Italian anytime and would prefer Swiss fare. We were not disappointed, the food is amazing!
The skiing is challenging. I have skied since a young child and would only recommend this destination for intermediate and expert skiers.
In total we spent 5 days at the Rifflealp. Our accomodations were upgraded to a Chalet room overlooking the Matterhorn. What a view!! This is by far our favorite destination. Well worth the trip from Canada!

P.S. We speak english and french. In this area of Switzerland, German is the dominant language. We had no problems however as the staff spoke perfect english.
.

The hotel is nice, but: (a) if you do not speak Russian, you will get very average or even poor service, the worst tables at diner, no space at the bar, etc; (b) the massages at the spa are a complete joke - but the rest of the spa is very nice; (c) at the restaurant, if you are allergic to something, they do not care and just serve it to you despite the request to avoid that dish.

Our family first visited Rifflealp 10 years ago, when it had just re- opened. Although the hiking is excellent, we often say that our summers would have been much different had we stayed in the town & not "up" at Rifflealp. --most likely, we would have gone once & not returned.

It is just heaven-on-earth. I know most people go in the winter, for skiiing. It is very quiet when we come. Not many people. We actually don't mind it. Ten years later, our daughter is 20 & our son 17, & they say that without the crowds, it's as if the entire resort is just there for us:
the warm outdoor pool with its different whirlpool areas, The underground, very bizarre, very cool ,spa, The bowling alley where we go after dinner.

During the day, after an awesome, abundant breakfast, we hike & walk throughout the mountains. The hikes may vary & are always well marked & lead to a wonderful country restaurant w/ simple good food. Town is fine, but we now much prefer just staying up at Rifflealp, taking in a good dinner at the resort's Italian restaurant. There are two restaurants open at Rifflealp during the summer. One is more high end, in the main dining room. & the other, just outside the hotel across the lawn, is their more casual restaurant, which offers meat/broth fondue & raclette.

The holiday is just the best of all things: exercise, good food, & quiet time on our balcony or in our large suite to just read & look out onto the Matterhorn.

The service at the hotel is quietly well-done & efficient. The hotel itself is very Swiss-country, but there is not a thread out of place in a carpet, or a chip in the paint, or knick in the wood work. Everything is always upgraded & immaculate. Every year we come back & wonder if there will be a slip in excellence, in housekeeping, or in interior/exterior design. Nope.
There is nothing stuffy here. The decor makes you feel at home & cozy & yet, there is a modernity & contemporary feel about the place too. Rifflealp strikes that rare balance so many hotels try to achieve.

Every year we go. And because the staff & the resort are so good to us, I feel that I must return the favor & write a review. But it's the same-ole-same-ole: Rifflealp is extraordinary.

Thank you to Rifflealp & your superb staff.

Kate/Boston


Our family has loved this place & wanted to keep it a secret so that we can enjoy the run of thi